Proposed 2016 Ballot Issues

A citizen proposed ballot issue can only appear on the federal general election ballot once the proposed language has fulfilled three requirements. First, the language must be submitted to Montana’s Legislative Services Division. Second, the Montana Attorney General must conduct a legal review. Finally, after the review process is complete, and the sponsor has been notified by the Secretary of State of the approval or rejection of the ballot issue, the sponsor must collect sufficient verified signatures from qualified voters in Montana. Propose a ballot issue »

Initiative or referendum for the ballot – Signatures must be obtained from 5 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana (based on the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last general election), including 5 percent of the voters in each of 34 legislative house districts.

Constitutional amendment by initiative – Signatures must be obtained from 10 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana (based on the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last general election), including 10 percent of the voters in each of 40 legislative house districts.

If you observe and have concerns about questionable signature gathering, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State, who will forward each complaint to the appropriate county official. See signature gathering information »

Please Note:Ballot issue numbers listed below are assigned by the order in which they were received at the Office of the Montana Secretary of State. They do not reflect a ranking or how the initiative would be numbered if it were placed on the ballot.

The following are citizen proposals for statewide ballot initiatives for the November 8, 2016, general election that were submitted to the Secretary of State.

Ballot Issue #13I-177Subject: Prohibit the use of traps and snares for animals by the public on any public lands within Montana, with certain exceptions.Contact Person: Brian MillerSponsor: Timothy ProvowType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: August 20, 2015Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of June 30, 2016. REJECTED BY VOTERS.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 33,026 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 49 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #23I-181Subject: Promote research into developing therapies and cures for brain diseases and injuries.Contact Person: Randy GraySponsor: Montanans for Research and CuresType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: February 2, 2016Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of July 14, 2016.REJECTED BY VOTERS.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 25,586 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 42 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #24I-182Subject: Expand access to medical marijuana.Contact Person: Kate CholewaSponsor: Montanans Cannabis Industry AssociationType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: February 29, 2016Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of July 13, 2016.APPROVED BY VOTERS.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 27,550 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 51 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #6I-176Subject: Require that drugs that are illegal under federal law are illegal under Montana law.Contact Person: Steve ZabawaSponsor: Steve ZabawaType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: June 17, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of October 5, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 20,038 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 33 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #9I-175Subject: Allow any school employee, with a valid permit, to possess and carry a concealed handgun in a school.Contact Person: Chet BilliSponsor: Chet BilliType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: July 8, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of August 28, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 30 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #10 CI-115Subject: Permit adults to purchase, consume, or possess marijuana.Contact Person: Anthony VarrianoSponsor: Anthony VarrianoType: Constitutional initiativeReceived by SOS: August 11, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of October 5, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 7,215 of 48,349 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 40 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #14I-178Subject: Legalize recreational sales of marijuana to adults twenty-one years of age and older.Contact Person: Anthony VarrianoSponsor: Anthony VarrianoType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: October 8, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of December 7, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 9,750 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 8 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #16I-179Subject: License community veteran EMTs to provide expanded medical care for individuals, including but not limited to veterans.Contact Person: Ed LesofskiSponsor: Ed LesofskiType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: October 26, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of December 29, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 0 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #19I-180Subject: Require investor-owned utilities to supply incrementally higher percentages of their electricity from renewable energy sources, and establish a displaced fossil-fuel workers program and a fossil-fuel pensioner program.Contact Person: Russ DotySponsor: John SoderbergType: Statutory initiativeReceived by SOS: November 16, 2015Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of January 20, 2015.Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 8,275 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 6 of 34 legislative districts needed.